Southfield Theatre to give Gold Cup glory and Trainers’ title to Nicholls

Southfield Theatre is sure to be primed to the minute for this 3m 5f stamina test, and with the drying ground in his favour everything looks in place for a huge run.

Theatre Guide and The Druids Nephew big players

There are plenty of dangers in a wide-open contest, and Theatre Guide and The Druids Nephew look lively outsiders.

The former is trained by Colin Tizzard who has enjoyed a terrific season, and ran a blinder when runner-up to Smad Place in the Hennessy at Newbury.

Theatre Guide went on finish a solid third to the same rival in a Grade 2 contest at Cheltenham before romping to a 10 length success at Kempton, and a mark of 150 should not be beyond him given that he has won off 1lb lower in the past.

Given a Chance by the handicapper

The Druids Nephew has a touch of class and has been given a chance by the handicapper.

Trained by Neil Mulholland, the nine-year-old landed the Ultima Chase at the 2015 Cheltenham Festival in terrific style off a mark of 146 and was far from disgraced on his penultimate outing when runner-up at Doncaster off 155.

The Druids Nephew is now able to race off a reduced rating of 148, just 2lb higher than when landing the Ultima, and that gives the gelding every chance at the weights.

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Coral’s top tip: Southfield Theatre has the right profile for the race and can land the spoils to clinch the trainers’ title for Paul Nicholls. Theatre Guide and The Druids Nephew look each-way value.